The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: A journey in opulence

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express conjures up visions of
decadence and luxury, but how was this image created and what has
caused it to be so ingrained in our culture today? This iconic
train has been carrying passengers in luxury since 1883 when it set
out on its first journey from Paris. A lot has changed since 1883,
but the modern incarnation of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
maintains its air of the high life. Stories of Royal demands, spies
and the role it played during two world wars only add to the charm
of this famous journey.

History of the Orient Express

In 1865 Georges Nagelmackers envisioned, 'a train that would
span a continent, running on a continuous ribbon of metal for more
than 1,500 miles.' Nagelmackers' vision was encouraged during a
trip to America where he saw firsthand advances being made in
railway travel. One of the most influential things he saw were
George Pullman's luxurious 'sleeper cars', these inspired
Nagelmackers to realise his vision.

On October 4th 1865, the luxury train made its first
journey from Paris's Gare de Strasbourg. Invited on this journey
were many journalists who marveled at the luxury and attention to
detail, and thus the image of extravagance and decadence was
born.

Royalty on the Orient Express

Owing to its reputation for decadence and luxury, over the years
the luxury train has hosted many royals, some of whom made absurd
demands for their journey. Notably, terrified of assassins, the
Ferdinand of Belgium locked himself in the bathroom for the
duration of his trip. After making elaborate arrangements to
infiltrate a harem, King Leopold II chose the train as his means of
travel to Turkey. The train was driven at dangerous speed through
Bulgaria by the country's king. Special cars were built for the
train at the demand of Czar Nicholas II.

Literature on the Orient Express

The glamour and rich history of this decadent train has
ingrained itself in popular culture, and often lends itself to the
plot of books, films and television programs. First mentioned in
literature by Bram Stoker in 1897, the train would go on to be
featured by many other great writers including Graham Greene and
Ian Flemming.

Perhaps the most famous novel about the train features Agatha
Christie's Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. Poirot solved his
most famous mystery aboard the Simplon Orient Express, this popular
murder mystery has been adapted for the big screen on three
separate occasions. Another notable tale set on this line was
Alfred Hitchcock's film adaptation, The Lady Vanishes. More
recently the train has been featured in From Russia with Love,
where much of the action sees Sean Connery's Bond aboard the Orient
Express. Series eight of the popular British sci-fi series Doctor
Who also featured the iconic train, albeit this incarnation is
located in space.

Since its beginning writers have been inspired by the idea of
this iconic journey, and as its history becomes richer with time
there is no doubt it will continue to inspire future
generations.

Spies on the Orient Express

The Orient Express once earned the nickname 'Spies Express' as
it became the favoured means of travel for continent spanning
spies. One of the most well-known spies to enjoy the luxury of this
journey was British spy, Robert Baden-Powell. Powell posed as a
lepidopterist visiting the Balkans to collect samples. He drew
intricate sketches of butterfly wings that cleverly concealed coded
plans of fortifications he observed along the Dalmatian Coast.

The route was severely limited during the two World Wars,
however a single carriage played a part in both. At the end of the
First World War German officers signed a surrender document in a
sleeping car of the Orient Express that was used by the Allies as a
mobile conference room. This car was then proudly exhibited in
Paris until 1940 when German troops occupied Paris. Hitler ordered
the carriage to be returned to the exact spot where Germany had
been forced to surrender 22 years earlier. From here he negotiated
the terms of the French surrender. When Hitler realised
Germany were going to lose the war he ordered the carriage be blown
up, to prevent it becoming "a trophy of the Allies once
more."

A Journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The iconic Orient Express made its last journey in 1977. The
train might have been destined to end up as simply a story of old
world elegance, but a budding entrepreneur purchased some of the
pre-war dining cars and carriages. He had them beautifully restored
to their former glory and in 1982 the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
followed on the tracks of the iconic train.

Today you can experience the luxury of this iconic journey on
the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Passengers can relax in style
aboard the beautifully restored carriages, enjoy the utmost in
travelling elegance and experience the magic of 'the King of Trains
and the Train of Kings'.